Kratovil “has earned the endorsement of the NRA-PVF (political victory fund) because has defended the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding gun owners, hunters and sportsmen in Maryland and across America,” said Chris W. Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist. “On November 2, I urge all Maryland NRA Members and gun owners in the 1st District to vote Frank Kratovil for Congress.”

This is huge news for the freshman Congressman who is neck and neck in the polls with extremely conservative State Senator Andy Harris for the opportunity to represent Maryland’s Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel, Harford, and Baltimore Counties in Congress. Kratovil is rated one of the most independent members of the House of Representatives but this makes it hard to sell his candidacy to the extremes of either party. The NRA endorsement is expected to help with in this highly conservative district, which went for McCain by 19 points, but at the risk of potentially further alienating the Democratic base.

Andy Harris also received an A rating from the NRA. I have sought a comment from the Harris campaign and will update this article if it comes.